Choose-life Project Kicks Off in Palermo, Italy
The Choose-Life Project officially launched with a kick-off meeting held on the 15th and 16th of January, 2025, in Palermo, Italy. Representatives from the consortium gathered to outline the project’s ambitious mission of addressing youth drug abuse by promoting psychosocial well-being, education, and inclusion. Focused on marginalized youth aged 14-18, the initiative aims to provide preventive strategies, empower young people, upskill youth workers, and engage policymakers in fostering supportive social welfare policies.
Tackling Youth Drug Abuse in Europe
Youth drug abuse presents significant challenges across the project’s consortium countries, including Italy, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia and Belgium. These countries face a variety of social and economic factors contributing to substance dependency among vulnerable youth populations. Marginalized groups, particularly those affected by poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to education, are at the highest risk. The Choose-Life Project seeks to tackle these challenges through tailored, evidence-based strategies that address the specific needs of each region while fostering a unified approach to youth empowerment.
Key Objectives and Work Packages
During the meeting, consortium members outlined the project’s key objectives and work packages, which include:
- Research and Context Analysis: Understanding the specific needs of each region, and discussing several objectives, general overview of work packages, expected activities and results.
- Capacity-Building for Youth Workers: Upskilling professionals working with young people.
- Pilot of Innovative Preventive Measures: Testing new strategies to reduce drug abuse.
- Youth Networks and Advocacy: Engaging young people in advocating for social welfare policies.
- Communication Campaigns: Raising awareness about the risks of substance dependency and youth health literacy.
These efforts will be supported by robust quality assurance measures (WP6), led by CARDET, which will develop tools and indicators to evaluate the project’s impact and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Delivering Tangible Results
A central aspect of the initiative is its focus on delivering tangible results. These include:
- Toolkits for Youth Workers: Practical resources to support youth workers in their day-to-day roles.
- Policy Recommendations for Governments: Advocacy for the development of supportive policies.
- Pilot Programs: Engaging young people directly in all partner countries.
The piloting phase will provide a critical opportunity to test and refine intervention strategies in real-world scenarios, ensuring their effectiveness and adaptability. By the project’s conclusion, Choose-Life aims to leave a lasting legacy of improved psychosocial well-being, reduced substance dependency, and stronger support networks for marginalized youth.
Grassroots Impact: Visits to Local Organizations
As part of the kick-off meeting, participants visited two local organizations in Palermo, SOS Ballarò and Porco Rosso, that exemplify grassroots efforts to promote social inclusion and empower vulnerable communities. These visits offered valuable insights into the challenges faced by marginalized youth and reinforced the importance of community-based solutions.
A Unified Approach for a Brighter Future
The Choose-Life Project, with its multi-faceted approach and commitment to collaboration, sets a strong foundation for addressing one of Europe’s most pressing social issues and creating a brighter, more inclusive future for young people.
Learn more about the Choose-Life Project by visiting the project’s website here.